She tirelessly worked for justice. She devoted her life and work to upholding principles too important to reject. She knew the risks and took them. She did so because it matters.

For 30 years, she defended America's poor, underprivileged, unwanted, and forgotten. Without advocates like her, they never have a chance for due process and judicial fairness.

She was targeted for representing clients prosecutors want convicted. One case made her especially vulnerable.

At former US Attorney General Ramzy Clark's request, she joined his Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman's defense team.

In 1995, he was wrongfully convicted of seditious conspiracy, solicitation of murder, solicitation of an attack on American military installations, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to bomb in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center attack.

He was bogusly accused. He was innocent of all charges. It didn't matter. He never had a chance. Prosecutorial injustice framed him. It's standard Justice Department practice.

Defending Rahman got Lynne spuriously charged with:

• "conspiring to defraud the United States;

• conspiring to provide and conceal material support to terrorist activity;

• providing and concealing material support to terrorist activity; and

• two counts of making false statements."

Prosecutors claimed she violated US Bureau of Prisons Special Administrative Measures (SAMs). A gag order on Rahman was included.

She's a breast cancer survivor. It reemerged. It's spreading. It's treatable. More on that below.

She remains focused. She's determined not to allow "any such problem deter (her) from someday getting released" and being free.

She reflected on her "strong will." She calls it the "focus that you all infuse me with!!"

She commented on her formidable challenge in getting her "case before the Supreme Court. Will they deign to hear us," she asked? Will we advance the sunlight or only increase the shadows on our constitutional rights?"

"We can only strive to present our issues in the best possible way and 'fight like hell' " for justice. There's "no predicting results, but in prison, HOPE is the only currency."

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) discussed "The Health and Health Care of US Prisoners."

Few inmates with "active medical problems" are monitored. Mental health problems are "ubiquitous." Treatment is deplorable.

"Almost a million inmates report having 1 more chronic medical (problems), and their access to medical care appears to be poor."

"Providing inmates with health care is politically unpopular. Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona said Bush administration officials blocked release of his report titled, "Call to Action on Corrections in Community Health."

They did so fearing it "would increase government spending on inmates." PNHP stressed that "constitutional, public health, and human rights imperatives of improving health care in prisons and jails are clear."

In January 2009, PNHP headlined "US prisoners sicker than believed and have poor access to care."

An American Journal of Public Health article discussed a first-ever nationwide study. It said about 40% of America's prison population (over 800,000 inmates) have chronic medical conditions.

They include diabetes, heart and kidney problems, asthma, and cancer. Researchers found "sick prisoners have poor access to care." Many in need aren't treated. Others get deplorable care.

Compared with comparably aged Americans, the incidence of inmates' illness is much higher. Treatment is sub-standard.

"Inmates with medical problems like diabetes, which requires drug treatment (daily), often had their vital medications stopped after their incarceration."

Lead study author, Dr. Andrew Wilper said:

"A substantial percentage of inmates have serious medical needs. Yet many of them don't get even minimal medical care. These prisoners are denied their constitutionally guaranteed right to care."

Lynne is affected like others. Her struggle for good health accompanies her appeal to be set free. Her treatment reflects police state justice.

It symbolizes what's wrong with America. It spurns rule of law principles. It imprisons its best and brightest. It's contemptuous of fundamental civil and human rights. Wealth, power, privilege and dominance alone matter.

Change more than ever is needed. Great struggles are won in small steps. Supporting right over wrong matters. Mass public outrage is needed. Activism gets results. There's no other way.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.